Airport currency exchanges have long had a reputation for charging high rates.

I find it is the cheapest way, even with the fees from my bank. it helps to have a few left over after your trip. Depending on how much in cash money I will need. I put everything I can on a credit card as I am really hesitant to carry cash with me. I usually take two: mastercard and visa. Everything goes in the hotel room safe when not needed.

One tip I had to learn the hard way: carry enough in dollars to cover the cost of getting an emergency passport from a U.S. embassy or consulate and they want cash. I think the charge now is $110. Carry copies of your passport picture page...one goes in my checked bag and one is on me at all times. Passport itself belongs in that safe, too...and carry the emergency numbers outside the U.S. of your credit cards, not photocopies of the cards themselves (I was warned by my cc companies).

Thank you for this advice!

before going.

ATM's are great, particularly if your bank has an arrangement with a European bank and waives the ATM fees. But most banks charge an international transaction fee every time you use your card and that can add up.

You can bring some American dollars to exchange at the airport just to have a little in your pocket. Then use a debit card from your bank to withdraw more from an ATM. Don't use a credit card because interest rates will begin to acrue immediately. And the advice is that you should also bring enough American cash ($110 currently) to replace your passport at an American Embassy, in case it is lost or stolen. Otherwise you would have to change euros back into dollars.

My husband put our reserved dollars into a money belt he wears. Looks just like an ordinary belt. But in most countries, just carrying your money as usual is safe enough. Leave it in your hotel safe if you can.

We have a credit card from Capital One that charges no transaction fees (a fee to change euros into dollars). If you have one like this, bring it and try to pay with credit whenever you can. Saves trips to the ATM and there will be no fees at all. Not all places take credit cards, though.

Speaking of passports, scan and make a few copies of your passport, the page with the picture. Carry that instead of your actual passport, unless you are going to cross a border. Also scan and copy any credit cards you will be carrying and keep them somewhere other than your wallet. If your wallet is stolen you will have all the numbers right there when you call to report the loss.

the emergency out of the country toll free number...they said if you lose the copy of your card, thieves can use the info to charge stuff. They said they have the information on your card.

My bank will only waive the fee on getting you euros if you get over a certain amount which was over what I needed in euros. I think it was $500 and I never need that much.

I always put a copy of my passport photo page taped to the inside of my checked bag, also, in case it gets lost...mercifully, that has never happened...

If you can just give the credit card company your name, and they can do the rest, then it's better to just bring phone numbers of the companies.

I hear chips are coming to U.S. credit cards. Thieves will no longer be able to use the card if they only have the number. There will be a pin number too.

exposed. The cord is pretty strong and the wallet is zippered. Having your hands free esp. in the airport is good...less to worry about. I think I ordered it from TravelSmith, a good catalog for travelers. They also carry a some good sleep masks for the flight over...they really keep out the light and helps your brain to get in sleep mode...

I find that the key to avoiding a lot of jet lag is to simply get some sleep on the trip over. Even four hours makes a big difference from none. Ear plugs and sleep masks help me do that. Also a blanket and neck pillow. I actually carry my own travel blanket. It gives a sense of privacy while you sleep.

The noise from a plane is very fatigue inducing so the ear plugs help prevent that.

It helps me sleep for at least a short while. No alcohol of course. I usually don't need any sleep meds while there, since I am exhausted every evening from all the day's activities.

For some reason, as limited as the sleep is going over, I do pretty well once we arrive in the morning. Going back is murder on me, tho.

I don't take a blanket since most airlines on international flights supply one with no charge. And I find the drone of the airplane to be sleep inducing...

You just let them know ahead of time how much you want. There's really no need to get much before you go as ATMs are pretty much everywhere, but if you travel abroad enough, sooner or later you will wish you had foreign currency before you arrive. Usually it's when you figure out the cab driver or the parking meter doesn't take plastic and you have no idea where the nearest ATM is.

got them from Foreign Exchange in DC. Easier than bank because they have them on hand; bank has to order them. (or did, last time I did such transaction.)

I could order from my bank, but it is just as easy to pick them up when I arrive.

I always keep a hundred or so from a previous trip

I usually take $50-$100 in cash to change at the airport and then use ATMs for the rest.

One caution: In Japan, only post office and Citibank ATMs take non-Japanese debit cards. Fortunately, it's always easy to find a post office.

In Korea, there were Citibank ATMs all over the place.

You must have a credit card - no ifs, ands or buts.

Also, the phone company that will give you a sim card does not accept american credit cards. YOu must have an italian credit card or cash.

Don't get me started on the 100's of ways that Italy discourages tourism. These are just a few.

But it's probably the reason that Italy is such a delight to visit.